Workforce Development

Workforce Development Department

The Workforce Development Department at Joliet Junior College is committed to encouraging local economic development by cultivating partnerships to provide comprehensive services to the residents and businesses in Will and Grundy Counties. Programs and services are provided in partnership with local Workforce Systems which focus on the economic needs of each region.

Services include:

Advising

JJC advisors are available to help you explore various career paths, choose classes. They can also provide information on different training programs available at JJC. One-on-one or small group advising is available.

Assessments

Multiple career assessments are offered for the purposes of career advancement, employment pre-screening and identifying certifications. The following assessments are available: Castle, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Paraprofessional, StrengthsQuest, Strong Interest Inventory and WorkKeys.

Career Certified

Career Certified addresses the soft skills, leadership skills and cognitive skills adults need to be successful in the workplace. These life skills include understanding work-related health and safety, work habits and conduct personal leadership at work, communication, teamwork and collaboration, rights and responsibilities of workers and employers and customer service.

Career Coach

Career Coach is designed to help job seekers find their ideal career by providing current and local data on wages, job postings and associated education, employment and training.

CareerReady101/KeyTrain®

The CareerReady 101/KeyTrain® training system helps sharpen the workplace skills of students and employees. The online program is self-paced and can help you prepare for the WorkKeys® Assessment, or assist you in increasing your scores.

Career Scholarships (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - WIOA)

This Act provides financial assistance for education and training so individuals can re-enter the workforce in jobs that will allow them to financially support themselves and their families. WIOA funding is designed to train individuals in short-term certificate or associates degree programs that will make them more marketable for high-demand occupations in the local area.

Connect to Your Future/My Future

These programs are open to youth ages 17-24 who meet income eligibility guidelines. They provide occupational training in high-growth, high-demand occupations and/or will assist participants in earning a GED. Services include: FREE occupational skills training, career assessments, one-on-one and small group mentoring, academic advising, work readiness workshops and placement into employment.

Business Services

Employers can post their open position on our job board, come on-site and host hiring events and join our job fairs.

WorkKeys Paraprofessional Certificate

The Illinois State Board of Education requires paraprofessionals/teacher’s aides working in schools receiving Title I funds to meet requirements federally mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. Individuals looking to meet the state requirements by taking WorkKeys assessments can become certified through the following assessments: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics and Business Writing.

Workshops

A variety of work-readiness workshops are offered to assist you in every stage of your career. Workshops are available for Resume and Cover Letter Development, Job Search, Interview Preparation, Networking and more.